Prospecting: A Geological Survey of Greys is an interdisciplinary art project that appropriates geological methods of extracting, analysing and categorising mineral specimens. From a 170 metres’ deep exploration drilling at Prestefjellet just outside Kirkenes in northern Norway, cylindrical rock-core samples have been taken out of the 2.5-billion-year-old primary rock, in search for the bedrocks shades of grey tones.

The rock cores of metamorphic gneiss were then shipped to The Geological Survey of Norway's laboratory in Trondheim, where the artist conducted various analyses and microscopy of the stone. The result of her exploration is a cross-section of biology and history and addresses the distinctions between objective scientific methods and subjective influences. In the installation, the stone's microstructure and mineralogical composition meets a survey of colour perception and optical refraction between spectator, object and space.

The first part of the project involved the rock core drilling and a site-specific installation, at Prestefjellet for Dark Ecology in May 2016. The project is supported by The Dark Ecology project, The Arts Council Norway’s Cultural Fond, Fond for Sound and Image, The Norwegian State exhibition grant, The Association of Norwegian Visual Artist (NBK), Hordaland Municipality and Bergen Municipality. The project was conducted in cooperation with Hilde Methi and Sonic Acts, The Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder (LKV) and Arctic Drilling. Special thanks to Øystein Nordgulen, Rolf Lynum and Håvard Gautneb.